AN ambitious £12 billion blueprint to transform Scotland’s rural economy and revive the tourism sector in the wake of the pandemic is to be unveiled at next month’s SNP conference.
The 10-year strategy – which if passed could be included in a SNP Programme for Government if the party wins the 2021 election – aims to combat depopulation with a series of initiatives including encouraging people to move to the countryside and restating former rail lines.
Its 24-point “Rural Stimulus Plan” recommits the party to putting one million acres in community ownership and replanting parts of the ancient Caledonian Forest – a move it says would generate hundreds of forestry jobs as well as cut carbon emissions.
Other environmental measures include rewilding of the countryside and reducing pollution in all rivers and lakes to levels safe for swimming.
Further proposals include:
- Doubling spending on promoting Scottish food and drink exports
- Demanding tax powers allowing Holyrood to impose higher taxes on Amazon which many believe have damaged small high street shops
- An international marketing campaign to promote Scotland as a sustainable tourist destination
- Considering free bus travel to people in the most remote communities, more cycleways and a free bicycle borrowing scheme for pupils.
The authors say many of the initiatives could be funded by the Scottish Government under current financial arrangements, with rail line reinstatement best paid for through borrowing powers.
Fergus Mutch, the SNP’s former communications chief at Holyrood who is seeking to stand for election in Aberdeenshire West in May, is among the activists in Deeside and Upper Donside who worked on the blueprint.
He said: “Rural and remote Scotland face serious challenges and the SNP should think big about how we solve them.
“Our Rural Stimulus Plan offers a set of serious, ambitious proposals to help these communities across Scotland realise their potential.
“Covid-19 has changed life for each and every one of us. There’s been plenty of chat about what the ‘new normal’ looks like and how we might seek to ‘build back better’.
“This is an attempt to put some policy meat on the bones of how that might work in practice.
“There’s also a hidden impact of the shock of the pandemic in rural Scotland, which for many people and communities has been an isolating experience, devastating for business and compounded by poor connectivity and access to local services.
“Some of these issues we should address are structural, such as who owns land and how they use it. On tackling climate change, growing food and drink exports, expanding tourism ... rural Scotland should be at the heart of that ambition.
“I look forward to this plan opening up a debate ... and setting in motion real change for the better. By investing now, we can all share more in the benefits for many years to come.”
The plans will be put to the online conference at the end of November.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel